Massachusetts Now Has 160 Craft Brewers, And Counting

After a record year for brewery openings in 2017, the total number of craft brewers in the Commonwealth has climbed to 160, more than double what it was just five years ago.

The first five months of this year include Burke’s Alewerks opening a micro brewery and taproom in Hanover, former contract brewer Greater Good Imperial Brewing opening its own facility in Worcester, Contract brand Harper Lane Brewery beginning to tenant brew at Independent Fermentations, former contract brewer Naukabout opening its own brewery and taproom in Mashpee, Amory’s Tomb beginning to brew at its location in Maynard (they will open to the public later this year), Remnant Brewing opening a brewery and taproom in Somerville, and Small Change Brewing starting to contract brew.

Just one brewery, New Bedford’s Greasy Luck Brewing, a brewpub that employed a SmartBrew System, has closed, or in this case ceased its brewing operations.

Though 2018 is off to a slow start, the expected number of openings is likely to come close to last year’s record of 41. The infographic below, created in collaboration with the Mass Brewers Guild, gives an updated overview of the state’s brewing industry.